Founded in January 1943 by a group of Kingston Vale residents, the Kingston Vale Operatic Society put on its first show – the old Gilbert & Sullivan favourite 'Trial by Jury' – in the Kingston Vale Village Hall. It wasn’t until 1947 that the dramatic element entered and the Society adopted the name Kingston Vale Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Over the years KVODS performed at many venues, from Battersea and Poplar Town Halls to the Surbiton Assembly Rooms.

In 1978 the society took a lease on the Village Hall. Throughout the next twenty years, and through a series of five year leases, KV continued to occupy the Hall. However in 2000, KVODS was informed that the Hall was to be converted into a private residence, so the society continued to rehearse instead in local halls, which caused some financial issues.

Following the success of Oliver! in 2007, KVODS re-launched its youth group and Young KVODS was established.

HISTORY

PREVIOUS CHAIRMEN

Jeff Raggett

Nick Wale

David Woof

Roland Hill

Ted Blake

John Applin

Tony Hewitt-Hulin

2012 - 2013

2007 - 2012

2001 - 2005

2000 - 2001

1999 - 2000

1976 - 1999

1967 - 1976

After conducting some market research in Kingston in 2013, a new name 'Kingston Vale Theatre Group (KVTG)' was introduced, a new website launched and the society was given a fresh image. The committee then held a meeting with the parents of the Youth group, and the children and parents voted to change its name to Kingston Vale Youth Theatre (KVYT). More changes are still taking place and the future is, once again, very bright for KVTG and KVYT!